AUBURN, Ind. (WANE) - DeKalb Health and Parkview Health announced Tuesday morning the two have signed a letter of intent to develop a strategic partnership. The announcement comes following a January decision by DeKalb Health, located in Auburn, to pursue an affiliation.

“The DeKalb Health Board is pleased to be able to choose Parkview Health as our new partner,” said Doug Morrow, chair of the DeKalb Health Board of Directors. “Both organizations share the same commitment to provide high quality healthcare to their community. We view this decision as an opportunity to ensure the best healthcare for the DeKalb County community into the future.”

DeKalb Memorial Hospital opened its doors in 1964 and has operated since as an independent community hospital. Now doing business as DeKalb Health, the nonprofit, 56-bed, acute care healthcare facility provides both inpatient and outpatient services.

The following excerpt from a news release issued Tuesday morning gives insight into the decision to partner with Parkview Health:

DeKalb leaders considered how a larger health system could not only support and grow the hospital’s services but also contribute to ongoing projects within the community and enhance partnerships with area employers to identify opportunities to improve the value of healthcare. Leaders at some of the largest employers in DeKalb County weighed in on the significance of a partnership between DeKalb Health and Parkview Health.

Norman Yoder, Mayor of Auburn said he thinks this partnership is a win-win.

"This looks like a natural fit, I know they've communicated back and fourth for years and they've cooperated on several things and this looks like the next step into a collaboration." Yoder said.